7 Fears Among the Elderly

By Ted Holmgren, 9:00 am on April 10, 2017

Seniors sometimes hide their anxieties. However, aging leads to certain changes that can generate fear. For this reason, it is important for family caregivers to understand what makes seniors afraid so they can take action to minimize these worries such as hiring professional caregivers.

When considering elderly in-home care, Ahwatukee, AZ, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.

When providing care for an aging loved one, keep these seven common fears among seniors in mind so you can safeguard his or her emotional health.

1. Losing Independence

After years of caring for themselves, the thought of losing their independence can make many older adults anxious. While many seniors don’t want to think about not being able to drive or bathe on their own, taking care of your loved one’s health can help maintain his or her independence.

2. Financial Difficulties

The senior years often bring financial challenges associated with living on a fixed income. Help your senior loved one establish a budget that meets his or her long-term goals and ensures he or she never runs out of things such as food or medicine.

3. Receiving a Long-Term Health Diagnosis

The word “cancer” itself is enough to make seniors nervous. Talk to your loved one about the things that can be done to stave off serious illnesses, and help him or her make healthy lifestyle choices. For example, hiring a caregiver to assist with meal planning or exercise can prevent heart-related illnesses in the future.

If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Ahwatukee seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.

4. Experiencing a Medication Mishap

Seniors often hear horror stories about medication mix-ups. This may cause your loved one to constantly check if he or she has taken the correct pills. Arrange for medication management services to help your loved one keep track of his or her doses, or use an automatic dispenser with an alert timer to prevent needless worry.

5. The Loss of a Loved One

It might not be possible to prevent the loss of someone your loved one cares about. However, you can help by arranging for care for the remaining spouse or suggesting grief counseling services. When a loved one is lost, be there for your senior parent and listen as he or she grieves.

6. Being a Burden to Loved Ones

Aging parents often worry about the effects losing their abilities will have on their kids. Begin talking to your loved one now about care options such as in-home care so he or she knows you will not be burdened. It will also give your parents peace of mind to know they can age in place without burdening you with all aspects of their care.

7. Memory Loss

The thought of forgetting who their loved ones are or wandering away from home is scary for seniors. You can help preserve your loved one’s memory by playing games together and making sure he or she has plenty of socialization. It is also beneficial to talk about what you can do if memory loss becomes severe, such as hiring a night caregiver to guard against wandering.

Memory loss is one of the many symptoms of dementia. If your loved one has been diagnosed with this cognitive condition, consider hiring a professional caregiver. For dementia care Ahwatukee, AZ, families can count on, reach out to Home Care Assistance. Our compassionate caregivers use revolutionary memory care programs to help seniors stave off the progression of dementia, and they can also assist with a wide variety of important everyday tasks, including bathing, grooming, exercise, and cooking. To learn about our customized dementia care plans, call us at 480-448-6215 today.